Top rail latch for folding playard

ABSTRACT

A latch arrangement for a foldable playard has a top rail comprised of first and second tubular members, a bracket to which the first and second tubular members are pivotally supported, and a latch mechanism operatively interconnecting opposed ends of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism includes first and second pivotal pawls. which are pivotally supported on the bracket. The pawls can have cam followers that extend inwardly toward each other, as well as engagement end portions which engage end portions of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism also includes a cam supported on the bracket so as to be displaceable in a direction essentially parallel with axes about which the pawls pivot. The latch mechanism further includes a spring biasing the pawls in contra-rotating directions to cause the cam followers to engage the cam. In such a latch, a button can be formed integral with the cam, and a layer of fabric can overlay the bracket. This layer can either cover the button or can be clamped to the bracket to expose the button.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a foldable playard. More specifically, the present invention relates to a latch for locking an upper top rail of a foldable playard in a use position and for selectively releasing the upper top rail of the playard into a folded position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Top rail latch arrangements for foldable cribs and playards for small children and infants are well known. Examples of top rail latch arrangements can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,710 issued to Chan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,755 issued to Huang; U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,944 issued to Huang; U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,229 issued to Magnani, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,229 issued to Cheng; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,837 issued to Mariol et al. These latch arrangements, however, suffer from the drawback that they tend to be relatively complex in nature and therefore relatively expensive to manufacture. Their complexity also renders them difficult to operate and prone to wear and/or to misoperation. In addition, such latches should exhibit sufficient structural strength so that application of a load on the latch, such as an adult leaning on the rail and using it for support when reaching into the playard, will not inadvertently distort, displace, and/or disconnect the components of the latch. Furthermore, certain of such latches require multiple manipulations to release the top rails from, or lock the top rails to, the latch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to a latch arrangement for a top rail which is both simple in construction and which exhibits adequate structural strength.

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention provides a latch arrangement for a foldable playard. This arrangement comprises a bracket and a top rail including first and second tubular members pivotally connected to the bracket. Each of the tubular portions can have an end portion extending into the bracket and in which an annular groove is formed. The latch arrangement also comprises first and second pawl members pivotally mounted within the bracket for releasable engagement with the first and second tubular members, respectively. The first and second pawl members each include an engagement end having a ridge releasably engageable in the annular groove of the respective tubular member. In the above arrangement, the end portions of the tubular members terminate at an end which may be spun down to form a unitary reinforced end portion.

[0005] A second aspect of the present invention resides in a latch arrangement for a foldable playard having a top rail, which comprises a bracket; a button having a cam which is reciprocally supported in the bracket; a back plate having a first opening through which the button slidably extends, the back plate being secured to the bracket; a layer of fabric overlaying the back plate; and a cover connected to the back plate. The layer of fabric has a second opening through which the button slidably extends, and the cover has a third opening through which the button slidably extends. In addition, in this aspect of the present invention, the cover can immovably sandwich the layer of fabric against the back plate. In this arrangement, the bracket can have a front wall, and the back plate can be secured to the front wall.

[0006] A further aspect of the present invention resides in a latch arrangement for a foldable playard comprising a generally U-shaped bracket having a front panel and a cut-out on the front panel, and a generally U-shaped resilient member fitted into the bracket. The resilient member can have a first end disposed in the cut-out, wherein the first end has a pawl-operating cam integrally formed thereon. In this arrangement, the cam can extend into an interior of the bracket; the first end of the resilient member can have a button, integral with the cam, which extends through the cut-out beyond the front wall of the bracket; and the latch arrangement can further comprise a layer of fabric overlaying the button.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention resides in a latch arrangement for a foldable playard having a pivotal top rail portion with an end portion. The latch arrangement includes a bracket and a pawl pivotally mounted to the bracket for pivotal movement about an axis at a pivot end thereof. The pawl is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction about the axis. The latch arrangement also includes a first cam follower, formed on a first side of the pawl, and a manually manipulable cam disposed on the bracket, adjacent the pawl, and engageable with the first cam follower. The latch arrangement further includes a second cam follower formed on a second side of the pawl opposite the first side. The second cam follower is adapted to engage the end portion of the pivotal top rail portion when the top rail portion is pivoted from a folded position to a use position. The second cam follower also is adapted to pivot the pawl in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The latch arrangement further includes a locking recess formed on an engagement end of the pawl opposite the pivot end. The locking recess engages the end portion of the pivotal top rail portion after the top rail portion has been rotated from the folded position to the use position to prevent the top rail portion from pivoting from the use position to the folded position. In this arrangement, the cam can have a surface adapted to engage the first cam follower to induce rotation of the pawl in the second rotational direction, which moves the locking recess out of engagement with the end portion of the top rail portion to allow the top rail portion to rotate from the use position to the folded position. The cam, in this arrangement, can be displaceable in a direction essentially parallel to the axis of the pawl.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention resides in a latch arrangement for latching first and second pivotal tubular members. This latch arrangement comprises first and second pawls independently pivotal about respective essentially parallel first and second axes. The first and second pawls are biased to rotate in contra-rotating directions about the first and second axes. The first and second pawls each have an engagement end. The latch arrangement also comprises first and second outboard cam followers formed on outboard surfaces of the first and second pawls and engageable with end portions of the first and second tubular members to respectively induce rotation of the first and second pawls in first and second rotational directions. In this arrangement, the engagement ends of the first and second pawls approach each other when the first and second tubular members are pivoted from their respective folded positions toward their respective use positions. The latch arrangement further comprises first and second locking recesses formed on the engagement ends of the first and second pawls to respectively engage and prevent rotation of the first and second tubular members from their respective use positions toward their respective folded positions. In addition, the latch arrangement comprises first and second inboard cam followers respectively provided on opposed inboard surfaces of the first and second pawls. The latch arrangement still further comprises a manually manipulable cam engageable with the first and second inboard cam followers of the first and second pawls. The cam induces, in response to manual manipulation, an amount of rotation of the first and second pawls in respective first and second rotational directions, opposite the contra-rotating directions, to produce clearance sufficient to allow pivotal movement of the tubular rail members.

[0009] Still another aspect of the invention resides in a latch arrangement for a playard having at least first and second tubular members, comprising first and second pawls respectively pivotal about first and second axes; first and second outboard cam followers formed on outboard surfaces of the first and second pawls and respectively engageable with end portions of the first and second tubular members; first and second locking recesses formed on the first and second pawls, respectively, to engage the first and second tubular members; first and second inboard cam followers respectively provided on opposed inboard first surfaces of the first and second pawls; and a cam disposed relative to the first and second pawls so that the first and second cam followers of the first and second pawls are engageable with the cam, the cam being displaceable in a direction which is essentially parallel with the first and second axes.

[0010] A still further aspect of the invention resides in a latch arrangement for a foldable playard, comprising a top rail including first and second tubular members; a bracket to which the first and second tubular members are pivotally supported; and a latch mechanism operatively interconnecting opposed ends of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism comprises first and second pivotal pawls pivotally supported on the bracket so as to be pivotal about first and second axes, respectively. The pawls can have cam followers which extend inwardly toward each other and can have engagement end portions which engage end portions of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism further comprises a cam supported on the bracket so as to be displaceable in a direction essentially parallel with axes about which the pawls are pivotal; a spring biasing the pawls in contra-rotating directions to cause the cam followers to engage the cam; a button integral with the cam; and a layer of fabric overlaying the bracket and through which the button is manually depressible. This arrangement can further include a back plate that supports the cam and a cover supported on the back plate, wherein the layer of fabric is sandwiched between the back plate and the cover.

[0011] An additional aspect of the invention resides in a latch arrangement for a foldable playard comprising a bracket; a top rail including first and second tubular members pivotally connected to the bracket, each of the tubular members having an end; and first and second pawl members pivotally mounted within the bracket for releasable engagement with the first and second tubular members, respectively.

[0012] Another additional aspect of the invention resides in a latch arrangement for a foldable playard comprising a bracket; a top rail including first and second tubular members pivotally connected to the bracket, each of the tubular members having an end which is spun down to form a unitary reinforced end portion; and first and second pawl members pivotally mounted with the bracket for releasable engagement with the first and second tubular members, respectively. The first and second pawl members each include an engagement end for releasable engagement with the respective tubular member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The various features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more clearly appreciated as a detailed description of the preferred embodiments are given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment, wherein fabric, which is sandwiched between the cover and cam supporting back plate, is omitted for the sake of illustrative clarity;

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3C are side elevation views, in cross section, of the first embodiment, showing the button and cam movement which induces unlatching of pawl members of the latch according to this embodiment;

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4D are cut-way, back elevation views, showing operation of the latch mechanism in response to depression of the laterally displaceable cam;

[0018]FIG. 5 is cut-away, front elevation view of the first embodiment, showing the manner in which the spun end of one of the tubular rail members is snugly engaged by an engaging end of one of the pawls;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view, showing the structural elements of the second embodiment, wherein the fabric covering is omitted for the sake of illustrative clarity;

[0021] FIGS. 8A-8C are side elevation views, in cross section, showing the pivotal movement of a pawl in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, and showing the manner in which the button is concealed beneath a layer of fabric;

[0022] FIGS. 9A-9D are cut-away, back elevation views, showing the second embodiment in various stages of operation; and

[0023]FIG. 10 is a cut away front elevation view, showing features of the second embodiment, including how a spun end of a tubular rail member is snugly engaged by a pivotal pawl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0024] A first embodiment 100 of a latch arrangement for a folding playard according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5. The latch arrangement generally includes a bracket 104, a top rail including first and second tubular rail members 101, 102, and first and second pawl members 108, 110. The first and second tubular members 101, 102 which, in this embodiment, comprise an upper rail of the playard, are pivotally connected to the bracket 104 via pins 106. The tubular rail members 101, 102 can be formed of mild steel tubing. Each of the tubular rail members 101, 102 has an end portion 101C, 102C extending into the bracket 104. Each tubular rail member 101, 102 also preferably includes an annular groove 101B, 102B formed in the end portion 101C, 102C, preferably adjacent the end 101A, 102A.

[0025] The first and second pawl members 108, 110 are pivotally mounted to and supported on the bracket 104 via pivot pins 112. In addition, the pawls 108, 110 are configured for releasable engagement with the first and second tubular members 101, 102, respectively. The pawls 108, 110 each include an engagement end 108A, 110A for releasable engagement with the annular groove 101B, 102B of the respective tubular member 101, 102. The engagement ends 108A, 110A can be formed with a ridge 108G, 110G, preferably arcuate in shape, that releasably engages the groove 101B, 102B of the respective tubular rail member 101, 102. The engagement of ends 108A, 110A with grooves 101A, 102A provides a secure connection between the pawls 108, 110 and the rail members 101, 102 that is highly resistant to slippage and/or misoperation under load.

[0026] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, each engagement end 108A, 110A can include a curved recess 108H, 110H bounded by the respective ridge 108G, 110G and a respective stop 108I, 110I. When the rail members are in a use (or locked) position, a segment of the end portion 101C, 102C, defined between end 101A, 102A of the tubular rail member 101, 102 and groove 101B, 102B of the tubular rail member 101, 102, can securely seat in the recess 108H, 110H, as seen, for example, in FIG. 4A. The recesses 108H, 110H engage and prevent rotation of the tubular rail members 101, 102 from their use (locked) position to their folded (collapsed) position. The stops 108I, 110I prevent outward rotation of the pawls 108, 110 under high loads. Further, the ridge 108G, 110G and groove 101B, 102B engagement prevents the pawls 108, 110 from rotating inward, toward each other, and hence prevents inadvertent release of the tubular rail members 101, 102 during repeated impacts on the top rail.

[0027] The pawls 108, 110 also include pivot ends opposite their engagement ends 108A, 110A, or free ends. The pivot ends of the pawls 108, 110 pivotally mount the pawls 108, 110 to the bracket 104 via pins 112 extending through bores 108B, 110B. Further, the pawls 108, 110 are formed with inboard cam followers 108C, 110C on inboard first surfaces 108F, 110F, as shown in FIG. 2. The inboard cam followers 108C, 110C extend inwardly toward each other and are formed for engagement with ramped surfaces 114A of a reciprocal cam member 114 of the latch arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the ramped surfaces of 114A of the cam 114 are separated by a web 114W, which increases the structural rigidity of the cam 114. The cam 114 is slidably supported in the bracket 104 for engagement with the first and second inboard cam followers 108C, 110C to induce rotation of the pawls 108, 110 in first and second rotational directions, as will be explained more fully in connection with FIGS. 4A-4D.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A-4D, a coil spring 124 is disposed between the engagement ends 108A, 110A of the pawls 108, 110. The coil spring 124, which can be a compression spring, biases the pawls 108, 110 in contra-rotating directions, i.e., the spring biases the pawls 108, 110 so that their engagement ends 108A, 110A rotate away from each other. Referring to FIG. 4A, for example, the left-side pawl 108 is biased to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction, and the right-side pawl 110 is biased to pivot in a clockwise direction. The spring 124 thus ensures constant, snug engagement of the engagement ends 108A, 110A of the pawls 108, 110 with the end portions 101C, 102C of the rail members 101, 102. To mount the spring 124 to the pawls 108, 110, the pawls 108, 110 are formed with spring seats 108D, 110D proximate engagement ends 108A, 110A. The spring seats 108D, 110D extend into the interior of the spring 124. When the tubular rail members 101, 102 are not engaged with the pawls 108, 110, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4D, contra-rotation of the two pawls 108, 110 is limited by the engagement between the cam followers 108C, 110C and the ramped surfaces 114A of the cam 114 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4D. Accordingly, additional stoppers and the like to limit rotational movement of the pawls are not necessary.

[0029] The latch arrangement of this embodiment also includes a button 118 integral with the cam 114; that is, the button 118 and cam 114 form a unitary, monolithic structure with the front end of the cam 114 forming the button 118. The cam/button member 114, 118 is movably supported in the bracket 104 via a back plate 122 and a cover 120, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C. Referring to FIG. 2, the back plate 122 is secured to the bracket 104, and the cover 120 is connected to the back plate 122. The back plate 122 can be secured to a front wall 104B of the bracket 104 by pivot pins 112. The back plate 122 has an opening 122C through which the cam 114 of the cam/button member 114, 118 can slidably extend. The cover 120 also has an opening 120C through which the button 118 of the cam/button member 114, 118 can slidably extend. Thus, the button 118 is accessible through the cover 120, and the cam/button member 114, 118 is reciprocatively supported on the bracket 104 via the back plate 122. The button 118 moves inwardly toward the bracket 104 when manually depressed and moves outwardly away from the bracket 104 when released. The peripheral edge of the button member 118 can be provided with a series of spaced nubs 118A, which reduces sliding friction between the button 118 and the bearing surfaces of the cover 120. Although this embodiment illustrates a unitary cam/button member 114, 118, in other embodiments, the button 118 can be joined to the cam 114 by screws, pins, or other fasteners. Still other embodiments can include a button that is spaced from the cam, but that can be pressed into contact with the cam to move the cam into engagement with inboard cam surfaces 108C, 110C of pawls 108, 110.

[0030] The back plate 122, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, includes a guide housing 122A that extends through an essentially U-shaped cut-out 104A (see FIG. 2) formed in the front panel 104B of the bracket 104. A terminal portion 122D of the guide housing 122A can engage with an opening formed in the rear wall 104D of the U-shaped bracket 104 to stabilize the back plate 122 in the bracket 104. In addition, the outer wall of the guide housing 122A can engage a periphery of the cut-out 104A in the front wall 104B of the bracket 104. The guide housing 122A also can be mounted via rivets, adhesive, or other fasteners to the bracket 104, if desired. The guide housing 122A can be generally rectangular in cross section and can slidably guide the ramped surfaces 114A of the cam 114 into engagement with the inboard cam followers 108C, 110C of the pawls 108, 110. In this regard, the guide housing 122A can be of an open frame construction in that it has partially open sides to enable camming action between the ramped surfaces 114A of the cam 114 and the inboard cam followers 108C, 110C. FIGS. 3A-3C show how guide housing 122A guides the ramped surface 114A of the cam 114 into contact with the inboard cam follower 108C of pawl 108.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, the ends 101A, 102A of the tubular rail members 101, 102 can be open, but preferably are spun down to substantially close the ends of the tubular rail members 101, 102, as seen best in FIGS. 2, 4A, 4B, and 5. The spun ends 101A, 102A form unitary reinforced end portions and provide increased rigidity and strength as compared to, for example, an open-ended rail member. Such a construction eliminates the need to insert a reinforcing plug or other separate structural elements into the end of the rail member to reinforce it. In addition, the spun ends 101A, 102A present a smooth profile for camming action with the outboard side surfaces 108E, 110E of the pawls 108, 110, as will be better understood by the following description. Thus, repeated engagement and disengagement of the rail members 101, 102 causes minimal wear on the pawls 108, 110.

[0032] Operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is best appreciated from FIGS. 4A-4D. As shown in FIG. 4A, the end portions 101C, 102C of tubular rail members 101, 102 are latched in the use position by the pawls 108, 110. As the cam 114 is urged into the interior of the U-shaped bracket 104 in the manner shown in FIG. 4B, the ramped surfaces 114A of the cam 114 displace the inboard cam followers 108C, 110C of the pawls 108, 110 and induce rotation of the pawls 108, 110 against the bias of the spring 124. This initiates an initial stage of an unlatching process. Once the engagement ends 108A, 110A of the pawls 108, 110 disengage from the reinforced ends 101A, 102A of the tubular rail members 101, 102, as shown in FIG. 4C, the two hinged tubular rail members 101, 102 are free to rotate to the folded positions shown in FIG. 4D.

[0033] During relatching, the tubular rail members 101, 102 are pivoted from their folded position in FIG. 4D toward their use position, moving the ends 101A, 102A of the rail members 101, 102 toward the pawls 108, 110. The reinforced ends 101A, 102A engage and slide along outboard side surfaces 108E, 110E of the pawls 108, 110. These outboard side surfaces 108E, 110E, which are slightly arcuate, therefore act as outboard cam followers and respond to the camming action of the reinforced ends 101A, 102A sliding thereover. As a result of this camming action, the pawls 108, 110 pivot inwardly against the bias of the spring 124 until such time as the engagement ends 108A, 110A of the pawls 108, 110 can snap snugly into engagement with the ends 101A, 102A of the rail members 101, 102 to lock the rail members 101, 102 in the use condition illustrated in FIG. 4A.

[0034] As will be appreciated, in order to effectively disengage the engagement ends 108A, 110A of the pawls 108, 110 from the reinforced ends 101A, 102A of the tubular rail members 101, 102, it is desirable for the amount of rotation induced in the pawls 108, 110 by the ramped surfaces 114A of the cam 114 to produce clearance sufficient to allow pivotal movement and release of the tubular rail members.

[0035] As seen in FIGS. 4A-4E, the first and second pawls 108, 110 are independently pivotal about their respective pivot axes, where the axes are defined by the location of pivot pins 112. Because the pawls 108, 110 are independently pivotal, the tubular rail members 101, 102 can be latched, i.e., moved from the folded position in FIG. 4D to the use position in FIG. 4A, either one at a time or simultaneously. The pawls 108, 110 pivot about essentially parallel axes, and the cam/button member 114, 118 is displaceable relative to the bracket 104 in a direction essentially parallel to the axes of the pawls 108, 110. Thus, the button 118, which extends from a side of the bracket 104, is easy to access.

[0036] A further feature of this embodiment is that a fabric layer 126 can be sandwiched between the cover 120 and the front of the back plate 122, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A-3C. This enables the latch mechanism to be securely enclosed with the fabric 126, preventing access to the latching components of the latch mechanism. The fabric 126 is secured by the clamping pressure between the cover 120 and the back plate 122. Like the back plate 122 and the cover 120, the fabric layer 126 includes an opening through which the cam/button member can slidably extend, as seen in FIGS. 3A-3C.

[0037] In order to enable the cover 120 to be fitted into place once the fabric layer is appropriately located, the cover 120 can include a plurality of barbed legs 120A (one is visible in FIG. 2) which pass through openings 122B formed in the back plate 122 and snap into locking engagement with the back plate 122. This snap fit feature allows the cover 120 to be press fitted into place in a single simple operation once the fabric 126 is properly positioned. Once the cover 120 is set in position, the cam/button member 114, 118 can be positioned through the openings in the cover 120, fabric 126, and back plate 122. The cover 120 can include a lip 120B that surrounds an outer periphery of the button 118.

[0038] To retain the cam/button member 114, 118 in place between the cover 120 and the back plate 122, the back plate 122 can be formed with flange members 122D, shown in FIG. 2, which allow the ramped surfaces 114A of the cam 114 to slide thereover to assemble the cam/button member 114, 118 to the back plate 122, but which prevent the cam/button member 114, 118 from becoming dislodged from the back plate 122, once assembled. In addition, the cover 120 can include ledge members 120D located on a back side thereof, as seen in FIGS. 2, 3B, and 3C. These ledge members 120D limit the extent to which the cam/button member 114, 118, upon actuation of the button 118, can be slid forward through opening 120C in the cover 120. It will be understood that FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one of several possible arrangements that can be envisioned to control placement and movement of the cam/button member 114, 118 in the cover 120 and the back plate 122.

[0039] FIGS. 6-10 show a second embodiment 200 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the construction of the tubular rail members and the pawls is essentially the same as that shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-5. However, in place of the sliding cam arrangement of FIGS. 1-5, a flexible hinged cam arrangement 201 is employed. This hinged cam arrangement 201 can be made of nylon or a similar synthetic material.

[0040] The hinged cam arrangement 201 preferably has a clip 201A, a button 201B and pawl-operating cam 201C integrally formed with the button 201B, and a resilient U-shaped bridge member 201D which interconnects the two. The clip 201A engages a lower back edge of the bracket 104, as seen in FIGS. 8A-8C. The bridge member 201D is configured to fit against the inner surfaces of the bracket 104. The bridge member 201D preferably stays in place in the bracket 104 due to the inherent outward bias of the bridge member 201D. However, it will be understood that the bridge member 201D can be riveted, bolted, or otherwise fastened to the bracket 104 if desired. The cam arrangement 201 is formed so that the button 201B partially extends through the cutout 104A in the bracket 104, beyond the front wall 104B of the bracket 104, as shown in FIG. 8A.

[0041] As can be appreciated from FIGS. 8A-8C, fabric layer 126 overlays and conceals the button 201B. The head of the button member 201B can be pressed inwardly into the interior of the U-shaped bracket 104 by pressing on the fabric 126 lying over the button member 201B in the manner schematically depicted in FIGS. 8A-8C by arrow P. This inward movement of the button 201B drives a ramped surface 201CS of the cam 201C along a slightly arcuate path and against the cam followers 108C, 110C of the pawls 108, 110 in the manner depicted in FIGS. 8B-8C. This induces the change in the angular positions of the pawls depicted in FIGS. 9A-9D.

[0042] Although the U-shaped bridge member 201D exhibits resiliency and tends to move the cam 201C back toward the position illustrated in FIG. 8A, cam/button return is primarily induced by the pressure which is applied to the cam surface 201CS by the cam followers 108C, 110C under the bias of the spring 124, as is true of the embodiment of FIGS. 15. This ensures the appropriate re-positioning of the button 201B and cam 201C.

[0043] The operation of this embodiment is essentially the same as that of the first as will be appreciated from FIGS. 9A-9D, the basic difference residing in that the cam 201C follows a slightly arcuate path instead of a generally linear path.

[0044] The latch arrangement of the present invention provides many advantages over known top rail latches. For example, in accordance with one feature of the invention, in order to reliably latch and unlatch tubular rail members of a foldable top rail of a foldable playard, and to provide adequate structural strength, the ends 101A, 102A of the tubular rail members 101, 102 are spun down, thus forming unitary reinforced end portions. In addition, annular grooves 101B, 102B are provided on the end portions 101C, 102C of the rail members 101, 102, which cooperate with ridges 108G, 110G formed at the engagement ends 108A, 110A of pivotal pawls 108, 110.

[0045] To facilitate disengagement of the pawls 108, 110 from the end portions 101C, 102C of the tubular rail members 101, 102, the latch arrangement of the present invention includes a button member that is accessible from a side of the latch arrangement. The button member can be formed with a cam, which can move in a direction essentially parallel to the axes about which the tubular rail members 101, 102 pivot. Because the button member is located at the side of the top rail latch, it is easy to access and actuate, and will release the tubular rail members 101, 102 in a single actuation step, i.e., pushing on the button 118.

[0046] In addition, the inner ends 101A, 102A of the tubular rail members 101, 102 can directly engage the pawls 108, 110 of latch arrangement. Accordingly, the top rail latch arrangement of the present invention costs less to manufacture than, and weighs less than, latch arrangements that include reinforcing parts mounted to or within the inner end of the tubular rail members.

[0047] Further, the latch arrangements of the present invention isolate the latching components from the playard occupant and the playard user to reduce the risk of inadvertent pinching of fingers by the latch mechanism. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the cloth or fabric 126 used to cover the top rail frame of the playard is sandwiched between the cover 120 and the back plate 122 so as to cover the latch mechanism, excepting the face of the actuation button 118 and the cover 120. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6-10, the fabric 126 extends over the entire latch mechanism, and the latch is operated by pressing the actuator button 201B through the fabric 126.

[0048] It will be understood that the pawls, back plate, cover, button and cams can be made of suitable synthetic materials which can be molded or otherwise formed. Where sliding of one surface on another occurs, the moving and relatively stationary elements can be made of materials which are different to avoid any wearing or similar problem. Merely by way of example, the button and cam be made of nylon, while the back plate and pawls can be made of a material such as acetal, polypropylene, or any other commercially available polymeric material. The use of metallic materials or a mixture of metallic and synthetic materials is not outside of the scope of the invention.

[0049] While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to only two embodiments, the various changes and modifications which can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims, will be self evident to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains given the preceding disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A latch arrangement for a foldable playard comprising: a bracket; a top rail including first and second tubular members pivotally connected to the bracket, each of the tubular members having an end portion extending into the bracket and in which an annular groove is formed; and first and second pawl members pivotally mounted within the bracket for releasable engagement with the first and second tubular members, respectively, and the first and second pawl members each including an engagement end having a ridge releasably engageable in the annular groove of the respective tubular member.
 2. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the end portions of the tubular members terminate at an end which is spun down to form a unitary reinforced end portion.
 3. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a layer of fabric which overlays and conceals the bracket.
 4. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a button having a cam and being movably supported in the bracket; a back plate secured to the bracket, the back plate having a first opening through which the button slidably extends; a layer of fabric overlaying the back plate and having a second opening through which the button slidably extends; and a cover connected to the back plate, the cover immovably sandwiching the layer of fabric against back plate, the cover having a third opening through which the button slidably extends.
 5. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second pawls are independently pivotal about respective first and second axes and are biased to rotate in contra-rotating directions about the first and second axes, the latch arrangement further comprising: first and second outboard cam followers formed on outboard surfaces of the first and second pawls and engageable with the ends of the first and second tubular members, respectively, to induce rotation of the first and second pawls in first and second rotational directions in which the engagement ends of the first and second pawls approach each other; first and second locking recesses formed on the engagement ends of the first and second pawls, respectively, to engage and prevent rotation of the first and second tubular members from their respective use positions to their respective folded positions; first and second inboard cam followers respectively provided on opposed inboard first surfaces of the first and second pawls; and a cam slidably supported in the bracket for engagement with the first and second inboard cam followers to induce an amount of rotation of the first and second pawls in the respective first and second rotational directions to produce clearance sufficient to allow pivotal movement of the first and second tubular members.
 6. A latch arrangement for a foldable playard having a top rail, comprising: a bracket; a button having a cam which is reciprocally supported on the bracket; a back plate having a first opening through which the button slidably extends, the back plate being secured to the bracket; a layer of fabric overlaying the back plate, the layer of fabric having a second opening through which the button slidably extends; and a cover connected to the back plate, the cover immovably sandwiching the layer of fabric against the back plate, the cover having a third opening through which the button slidably extends.
 7. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein the bracket has a front wall, and the back plate is secured to the front wall.
 8. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein the top rail comprises two tubular members, each of the tubular members being pivotally supported on the bracket and having an end spun down to form reinforced end portions; and first and second pawls pivotally supported within the bracket, each of the pawls having an engagement end configured to engage a reinforced end portion of a respective one of the two tubular members, the first and second pawls being operatively engaged with the cam.
 9. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a compression spring disposed between the engagement ends of the first and second pawls.
 10. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein the first and second pawls are pivotally supported within the bracket at pivot ends, opposite their engagement ends, and wherein the first and second pawls are biased to pivot at their pivot ends in contra-rotating directions.
 11. A latch arrangement for a foldable playard comprising: a generally U-shaped bracket having a front panel and a cutout on the front panel; and a generally U-shaped resilient member fitted into the bracket, the resilient member having a first end disposed in the cut-out, the first end having a pawl-operating cam integrally formed thereon.
 12. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein: the cam extends into an interior of the bracket, the first end of the resilient member has a button integral with the cam and extending through the cut-out beyond the front wall of the bracket; and the latch arrangement further comprises a layer of fabric overlaying the button.
 13. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a top rail comprising two tubular members, each of the tubular members being pivotally supported on the bracket, and each of the tubular members having an end that is spun down to form a reinforced unitary end portion.
 14. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 13, further comprising: first and second pawls pivotally supported on the bracket, the first and second pawls each having an engagement end for engagement with the end portions of the first and second tubular members, respectively, and each having a cam follower driven by the cam to rotate so that the engagement end is moved out of engagement with the respective end portion.
 15. A latch arrangement for a foldable playard having a pivotal top rail portion with an end portion, comprising: a bracket; a pawl pivotally mounted to the bracket for pivotal movement about an axis at a pivot end thereof, the pawl being biased to rotate in a first rotational direction about the axis; a first cam follower formed on a first side of the pawl; a manually manipulable cam disposed on the bracket, adjacent the pawl, and engageable with the first cam follower; a second cam follower formed on a second side of the pawl opposite the first side, the second cam follower being adapted to engage the end portion of the pivotal top rail portion when the top rail portion is pivoted from a folded position to a use position and being adapted to pivot the pawl in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction; a locking recess formed on an engagement end of the pawl opposite the pivot end, the locking recess engaging the end portion of the pivotal top rail portion after the top rail portion has been rotated from the folded position to the use position to prevent the top rail portion from pivoting from the use position to the folded position.
 16. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 15, wherein the cam has a surface adapted to engage the first cam follower to induce rotation of the pawl in the second rotational direction, which moves the locking recess out of engagement with the end portion of the top rail portion to allow the top rail portion to rotate from the use position to the folded position.
 17. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein the cam is displaceable in a direction essentially parallel to the axis of the pawl.
 18. A latch arrangement for latching first and second pivotal tubular members comprising: first and second pawls independently pivotal about respective essentially parallel first and second axes and biased to rotate in contra-rotating directions about the first and second axes, the first and second pawls each having an engagement end; first and second outboard cam followers formed on outboard surfaces of the first and second pawls and engageable with end portions of the first and second tubular members to respectively induce rotation of the first and second pawls in first and second rotational directions, wherein the engagement ends of the first and second pawls approach each other when the first and second tubular members are pivoted from their respective folded positions toward their respective use positions; first and second locking recesses formed on the engagement ends of the first and second pawls to respectively engage and prevent rotation of the first and second tubular members from their respective use positions toward their respective folded positions; first and second inboard cam followers respectively provided on opposed inboard surfaces of the first and second pawls; and a manually manipulable cam engageable with the first and second inboard cam followers of the first and second pawls, the cam inducing, in response to manual manipulation, an amount of rotation of the first and second pawls in respective first and second rotational directions, opposite the contra-rotating directions, to produce clearance sufficient to allow pivotal movement of the first and second tubular members.
 19. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 18, wherein the cam is displaceable in a direction which is essentially parallel with the first and second axes.
 20. A latch arrangement for a playard having at least first and second tubular members, comprising: first and second pawls respectively pivotal about first and second axes; first and second outboard cam followers formed on outboard surfaces of the first and second pawls and respectively engageable with end portions of the first and second tubular members; first and second locking recesses formed on the first and second pawls, respectively, to engage the first and second tubular members; first and second inboard cam followers respectively provided on opposed inboard first surfaces of the first and second pawls; and a cam disposed relative to the first and second pawls so that the first and second inboard cam followers of the first and second pawls are engageable with the cam, the cam being displaceable in a direction which is essentially parallel with the first and second axes.
 21. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein the first and second tubular members are formed of steel, and the end portions of the tubular members are spun down to reinforce the end portions.
 22. A latch arrangement for a foldable playard, comprising: a top rail comprised of first and second tubular members; a bracket to which the first and second tubular members are pivotally supported; and a latch mechanism operatively interconnecting opposed ends of the first and second tubular members comprising: first and second pivotal pawls which are pivotally supported on the bracket so as to be pivotal about first and second axes, respectively, the pawls having cam followers which extend inwardly toward each other and having engagement end portions which engage end portions of the first and second tubular members; a cam supported on the bracket so as to be displaceable in a direction essentially parallel with axes about which the pawls are pivotal; a spring biasing the pawls in contra-rotating directions to cause the cam followers to engage the cam; a button integral with the cam; and a layer of fabric overlaying the bracket and through which the button is manually depressible.
 23. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 22, wherein the layer of fabric overlays the button to conceal the button.
 24. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 22, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a back plate that supports the cam and a cover supported on the back plate, and wherein the layer of fabric is sandwiched between the back plate and the cover.
 25. A latch arrangement for a foldable playard, comprising: a bracket; a tubular member hingedly mounted on the bracket, the tubular member having an end which is spun down and an end portion which has a groove proximate the spun end; a pawl pivotally mounted on the bracket and formed with a ridge adapted to engage the groove, the pawl having a cam follower surface; a cam that engages the cam follower surface of the pawl; a button integral with the cam; a back plate having a first opening through which the button slidably extends; a layer of fabric overlaying the back plate, the layer of fabric having a second opening through which the button slidably extends; a cover connected to the back plate, the cover immovably sandwiching the layer of fabric against the back plate, the cover having a third opening through which the button slidably extends.
 26. A latch arrangement for a foldable playard comprising: a bracket; a top rail including first and second tubular members pivotally connected to the bracket, each of the tubular members having an end which is spun down to form a unitary reinforced end portion; and first and second pawl members pivotally mounted within the bracket for releasable engagement with the first and second tubular members, respectively, the first and second pawl members each including an engagement end for releasable engagement with the respective tubular member.
 27. A latch arrangement as set forth in claim 26, wherein the tubular members each have an annular groove, and the first and second pawls each have a ridge formed at their respective engagement ends for releasably engaging the annular groove of the respective tubular members. 